Black Rock Lock repairs completed, open for navigation

Buffalo, NY – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Buffalo District completed repairs to the lower land (east) primary anchorage of the Black Rock Lock, after it suffered a mechanical failure during operations in early November 2017.

“It is great news the lock is back open for the 2018 navigation season, but it is not without additional challenges,” said Vincent Lovullo, USACE Buffalo District project manager. “The lock is 104-years old and will need future repairs to the remaining lock anchorages, planned for the winter of 2018-19. To reduce risk of anchorage failure before they are repaired, we need to modify locking times for the 2018 season.”

The Black Rock Lock hours and dates for the 2018 navigation season are as follows:

The Black Rock Lock and the Black Rock Channel provide safe passage for vessels to travel between Buffalo Harbor and Tonawanda Harbor around the reefs, rapids and fast currents that exist in the upstream portion of the Niagara River.
The 104-year-old lock provides $3.94 million in economic benefits to Buffalo Harbor annually.